Issue 01, Vol. 52

Oct.19.2017

www.thegrcurrent.com

issue01 volume52

FREE

FREE

thecurrent the student newspaper of green river college

Gun Laws.

Are They Enough?

Pg. 9

Mariya Mubeen| The Current

currentcampus

currenta&e

currentsports

Fire Reported in House Across Main Campus

Drama Department Working on New Play

Green River Introduces New Mascot

Raging fire burns down local home.

page2

‘Pete and the Starcatcher’ to be performed in December. page7

New name to be approved by student body. page11

2 2017-2018

campus

thecurrent

Melanie Bell| Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Photo Credit: Mariya Mubeen

TOP: The ladder fire truck arriving at the scene of the fire on Lea Hill, just across from the west entrance of Green River College.

BOTTOM LEFT: The house fire roaring before the fire truck arrived.

BOTTOM RIGHT:A few of the firemen assessing the scene of the fire.

Photo Credit: Mariya Mubeen

House Fire Blazes Across From GRC By: Mariya Mubeen Editor-In-Chief editor@thegrcurrent.com On Monday, Oct. 16th around 6 p.m., a fire was reported on 320th St across from the west parking lot of Green River College. A two-story house was seen ablaze, threatening nearby houses. The Auburn Police Department was already on the scene and was followed by the Auburn, Kent, and Maple Valley Fire departments.

King County paramedic vehicles arrived at 6:16 P.M. and a conventional fire truck from Kent Fire Department arrived at 6:17 P.M. At 6:25 P.M. a ladder fire truck was also seen arriving on the scene. By around 6:30 P.M., there were three fire trucks (two from Kent fire department and one from Valley Regional Fire Department), two medic vans and a couple police cars at the scene. Ten minutes later, the fire was doused.

One of the witnesses, Shirley Albertson, saw the whole incident. She was looking for her daughter and happened upon a panicked man in a white T-shirt, who had initially discovered the fire.

“He had his cellphone and was asking me to call 911. He was so shooked that he didn’t even realize,” Albertson said. According to Albertson, a man was so panicked he ran out of the house naked.

Both Albertson and the man called 911 until they were able to get a hold of emergency services. She says that the fire started soon after the power went out. The power of the area had gone out due to a transformer explosion which was heard across campus.

Aaron Martin of the Valley Regional Fire Department gave an official statement to clear up any confusion. “The cause is undetermined right now; there were 3 male occupants in the two story residence.” The layout

of the house has two different units that are connected by a common wall. The landlord of the home sublets to international students for a low price.

“One of the occupants had come home from work and said he was taking a nap, he heard something crackling and heard the smoke alarm, and he noticed there was some smoke in the hallway,” Martin said. He was unable to say whether or not the fire was caused by the power outage.

As of Oct 17, the house fire was reportedly on the Auburn Crime map as arson.

The occupants were not harmed, however, the three men were displaced from their home. No additional homes were affected by the fire.

Photo Credit: Mariya Mubeen

campus

thecurrent

Melanie Bell Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Event Calendar Oct

23

Oct

25

Oct

27

Oct

28

International Transfer Fair

Come meet over 115 colleges and universities!

@ Student Union 2:00 PM Free entry

Faculty InService Day No Day Classes

Have fun at home!

Halloween Dance Party Costume contest, tarot readings, and more!

@ Student Union 8:00 PM $5 per person

Nisqually Wildlife Hike

3-mile hike through the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

@ Bus Circle 9:00 AM $5 Student $10 Non-Student

Pumpkin Patch

Oct

28

Oct

31

Pumpkins, corn maze, and carving!

@ Bus Circle 1:30 PM $7 Student $14 Non-Student

Advising Day No classes all day

Enjoy staying home or come in to speak with an advisor

3 2017-2018

Demographics Show Large Influx Of Intl. Students By: Alex Markovich Staff Writer Green River College is home to over 19,200 students, according to the demographics from the 2015-2016 academic year, which is available on the new GRC website.

The vast majority of the campus population is local and from Washington state. 1,600 students who are enrolled in the program called Running Start, where they can earn college credit towards their degree while still in high school. There are also 500 veterans that study.

A larger chunk, however, is the 2,300 international students that study at any of the three campuses or online.

Stewart Wendy, Vice President of International Programs and Extended Learning, stated that. A bulk of the students come from major countries in Asia including China, Vietnam,

South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. However, the campus is also home to many students from Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, and Russia.

The current head count for international students in 2017 is roughly 1,620 international students. A final count will be determined at the end of the year in December, when enrollment for 2017 closes.

85 percent of international students complete and intend to enroll and transfer into a four-year university. This accounts for full time international students who are enrolled in 15 credits.

International students find their majors in different forms of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), business, and liberal arts degrees. 36 percent major in STEM, 35 percent in business, and 29 percent in liberal arts.

The international program at

the college opens doors for the students looking to transfer to a four-year university. The college has relationships with most of the in-state schools such as University of Washington, Washington State University, and Western Washington University, and the students are able to transfer with many of their credits.

On a national level, high enrollment transfers from the college to a four-year university

include Arizona State, Boston University, Georgia Tech, University of Florida, University of Pittsburg, University of Utah, M.I.T (Massachusetts institute of Technology), Harvard, and Stanford, and manyother schools around the country.

Some international students even transfer globally to Cambridge University UK, Oxford University UK, and Tsinghua China being just some of the few.

Made by: Maria Mubeen

Programs At GRC Attract Many Students From Abroad By: Abdi Ibrahim Staff Writer

and connects them with other students, who can teach them how to assimilate into American culture without too much of a shock.

Smaller perks of the international program include things such as airport pick-up, a feature that other college international programs do not offer.

The students on first arrival are arranged to be picked up from the airport, the fees for which are included in the housing costs at the start of the quarter.

With peer mentoring, advising, student life, housing and tons of perks that the college offers has become a hot spot for international students, along with schools such as Bellevue and Highline College.

One of the most notable features of Green River College is its international program. Students come for a variety of reasons, from advancing their skills in English to Made by: Green River College using the programs available as a stepping stone in their path to States, as boasted by the introboth on and off campus allows an esteemed university. ductory video on the college’s students to meet others in the Over the years the college has website. Alvin Tai, the Director same situation. “I just like the become the leader in university of International Outreach, was area here and I’ve made a lot of transfer and has won awards featured in the college’s video. friends here as well,” Luu said. recognizing its efforts for the “The advising team makes On top of the advising, the international program. Not only it really easy for our students college also offers a peer mendoes the college offer adequate to understand how to transfer toring and leadership develhousing, but it also provides from Green River to four-year opment program. The peer individual institutions mentoring program is required advising to within the for all international students these students “The advising team makes it U.S.” Tai said to ensure they in the video. really easy for our students meet their goals Truong Luu, to understand how to and are headed COLLEGE VIOLATES CLERY ACT an internatransfer from Green River,” in the correct tional student, Green River College for more than six years failed to comply - Alvin Tai direction. explained that with federal law that mandates the reporting of campus crime The Internathe classstatistics and the way those statistics are reported, according to tional Programs es here are a preliminary finding by the Department of Education. College office on campus houses 30 much easier than his those in President Suzanne Johnson released details of the finding as this full time staff members to help his country and that his path issue of The Current was going to print. The newspaper and webinternational students in their to success seems better paved site (thegrcurrent.com) will have complete coverage in its second advising and individual studin America. The large interissue, which will be published Oct. 31. ies, as well as transferring to national community living universities around the United

campus

thecurrent

4 2017-2018

Advising Day Coming Oct 31

Campus Crime Blotter

By: Alex Markovich Staff Writer

Campus Safety responded to the following incidents from Sep. 21 to Sep. 29, among others. All information is from Campus Safety incident reports.

9/28 7:30 p.m.

Auburn Center Vandalism

Student reported that their car, a white Volvo, had been damaged while parked on the Auburn Center campus. Damage included a deep scratch on the engine hood. Between the time the student left and returned to their car, there was no activity in or around the car besides the owner entering the vehicle for a minute and getting out.

9/29 9:25 p.m.

Off Campus Robbery

A student reported being robbed across the street from the Food Market on 312th St at the Meadows Apartment Complex at 9:25 p.m. The suspects were apprehended and the stolen items were returned to the student. The student was not harmed in any way by the suspect.

9/21 7:23 p.m.

Student Union Vandalism

Advising Day is Oct 31, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Lindbloom Student Union. The event is open and students are able to come and go as they please.

Advising day is held once a quarter to help advise students on which classes to take to complete their degree.

Last year, Advising Day became a full on, all day event held in the student union with prizes like gift cards to the bookstore and parking passes.

Candy and little prizes will be available throughout the whole event, but the big ticket items are multiple generous gift

A maintenance technician found a light switch that had been tampered with in the Lindbloom Student Union. It was discovered when the lights in the student union began flickering on and off for several minutes and the technician went to investigate. The light switch was on the first floor near the women’s restroom. The light switch plate seemed to be missing a couple of screws.

dare

to do

Attend A trAnsfer InformAtIon sessIon! To register visit: www.uwb.edu/admissions/visit/transfer

425.352.5000

cards for the book store! That’ll help cover a text book for a class, or most of it.

Allison Warner, Director of Career and Advising Services, comments that “Not only is this day very informative and can potentially save students thousands of dollars by planning out their careers.

But, it is extremely fun because you get to meet new people and have great discussions with students.”

Many of the professors, advisors, and faculty members will be there offering words of advisement to students confused on what to do next. Schedule planning can prove effective when on paths for things like transferring.

Afghani Women Study At GRC By: Mehria Zamiry Staff Writer

www.uwb.edu

Melanie Bell | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

they lose respect and risk dishonoring the family. Engaged or married women, even if they are young, often feel they Green River College is known for cannot go outside by themselves its international student program The United States offers many opand inclusive nature. Students come portunities that women do not have in from all over the globe for education and Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, women do opportunity, such as Zarlasht Behnawa not have any opportunity to go to school, and Salma Sharify, two students from drive, and go to the mosque.

Afghanistan.

Behnawa is a student from Kabul, In Afghanistan men and women are Afghanistan.

She is married and has not considered to be equal. Women are two daughters.

She has lived in the USA usually less educated than men. They for almost ten years and is a student at marry young, and have many babies and Green River College. prefer boys over girls. Afghan women, in Behnawa started English class in ESOL general, do not work outside the home. one and continued to ESOL six. BehnaThey must always wear a scarf covering wa took a break from courses after distheir head that is tied firmly under the covering she was pregnant and when she chin. Male and female roles are strongly returned, she tested defined and very on CASAS at ESOL different. The public four. For ten years, opinion is that men “When I came to the USA I felt she has struggled in are in the power, and like I was blind because I did the ESOL classes. She the domestic duties has a goal after ESOL not know any English,” are the responsiclasses to take GED Salma Sharify bilities of women. classes to get her high Women take care school diploma. of young children, After achieving he cook for the household, and clean the GED, Behnawa would like to study to house. These are cultural norms for become a lawyer, judge, or a professional Islam everywhere, and not just in the clothing designer.

Behnawa has sewing country of Afghanistan. experience because she is a seamstress When living in the city, a man cannot stay at home during the day or help with and was taught how to sew.

Sharify, another student, has been the cooking or cleaning at all, because living in the United States for four years. the cultural norm is that men work outShe is a married and has two children side the home. Afghan men do not work one son and one daughter. “When I at home; they do not cook and clean. came to the USA I felt like I was blind Women can be employed if their close because I did not know any English,” relatives permit them to. The high unSharify said.

Sharify started from the employment rates in Afghanistan have first level of ESOL class even though she caused a feeling that employing women was an educated and independent womtakes jobs from men. an in Afghanistan.

In the beginning, she While more women are becoming was dependent on her husband because educated and are free to move about, she did not know how to speak and solve families may not be willing to take a risk problems.

“I had this hope to complete because it is still dangerous. Extremists my education out of my country, Afstill believe that if girls are visible outghanistan,” Sharify said. side the home, not doing their duties,

Melanie Bell | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

campus

thecurrent

5 2017-2018

Governor Jay Inslee: “We Can Defeat Climate Change!”

By: Melanie Bell Campus Editor On Friday, Oct. 13, Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington State visited Green River College to give a talk on the various effects of climate change going on in the state.

Inslee’s talk took place at 1 p.m. in the River Room of Mel Lindbloom Student Union. He was preceded by Monica Paulson Priebe, a faculty member for the natural resources unit of the college’s Forestry department, and Matthew Hepner, the executive director of the certified electrical workers.

Priebe described the work that the Green River Natural Resources department did with the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) of the state to help preserve the 200 acres of land that is shared by the college and the DNR. “We have been working very closely with the Washington State DNR to help manage these lands in a way that not only that helps the landscape and helps it adapt to things like climate change but also really dives in and helps our students understand what land management means in the face of environmental change, popu-

lation growth, and all of those other constraints,” Priebe said.

Hepner talked briefly about the possibility of fossil fuels, stating, “We can literally be the first state to be entirely fossil fuel free for utility generation.”

Inslee’s talk began with a recount of the retracting of the United States from the Paris Agreement, an agreement that helped reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

“A couple of weeks ago I was at the United Nations meeting with the secretary of the United Nations, at the same time I met with my old friend Al Gore, and the former secretary of state John Cary, 36 hours after the president pulled us out of the Paris Agreement. I worked with Gov. Brown of California, the Gov. Cuomo of New York. We had stood up with the United States Climate Alliance – 15 states that are moving forward to meet our Paris Agreements with or without Donald Trump.”

The Trump administration drawing out of the Paris agreement and dropping other climate change efforts have kicked other states into action.

The visit to the college was spurred by the desire to meet students interested in solving climate change.

“These are the people who understand the science of what it takes to keep our forest healthy… To defeat climate change. These are the people

who are going to help my state to make sure that we fulfill our destiny to lead the world in the fight against climate change,” said Inslee.

Inslee, however, was partially inspired by the many wildfires raging through the state of California at the moment. “In the last 72 hours, 1,800 homes in California have been torched,” Inslee said. “We don’t know how many people have lost their lives in these fires, and we know that these fires are (not only) in the future of Washington, but they’re in the present of the state of Washington.”

The last two summers in Washington state have been the hottest ones yet and have sparked forest fires and droughts around the state, though they have mostly been centered in Eastern Washington, devastating local families, and wildlife. “So what do we do about it? Here’s the thing I think we need to think about climate change: we have to have a ‘can do’ attitude, an optimistic attitude, and a confident attitude,” Inslee said.

“Here’s why I’m confident in our ability to defeat climate change: It is because we’re starting to do it, here in the state of Washington. Here in the state of Washington, we have adopted some really smart policies to limit carbon pollution.”

Inslee also listed multiple ways that Washington was us-

ing its efforts to build its economies, such as the solar panel industry in Bellingham, and carbon fiber industry in Moses Lake. “We have proved that you can build your economy and fight climate change at the same time. Anyone who says otherwise can come here to Green River College and talk to these bright, ambitious students who are getting ready to do jobs.”

Inslee mentioned reducing carbon pollution in the state of Washington, and creating some sort of legislature to help reach the states carbon pollution cap, which was implemented in an executive order.

“We need the legislature to act, to give us some additional tools at our disposal to try and reduce carbon pollution. I’m working with legislators across the state in designing what might be the next steps to be able to increase our war against carbon pollution.”

Before opening the room up for questions on the issue, Inslee ended his talk with a positive message to the students and faculty. “I have found that everyone in this room has real power. You don’t have to be governor to have real power.

Everyone in this room has the ability to influence someone else in their family or in business or a state legislator, and I hope you’ll find a way to do that because this is a real all-hands on deck deal.”

Viney Addresses Safety Referrals And Crime On Campus By: Deja Cook Staff Writer The Clery Act report, in the last three years on Green River campus, has increased in number of referrals and crimes.

A referral is given to a student or students when the law is broken and safety is unable to do anything in response, so it is reported to the Auburn Police department and other places that are able to.

“If the college security does a safety check or maintenance check in the Campus Corner Apartments and notices bongs, marijuana residue or even alcohol bottles out and the students in there are all under the age of 21, this is what would be considered a referral,” said Marvin Viney, the Assistant Director of Safety. “However, this not per incident. If there are 20 people in the apartment and 13 of them are under

age, then each one of those is a referral.”

From 2014 to 2016, the later report showed cases like fondling, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, vehicle theft as well as offenses such as domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking as having an escalated amount of reported. “It might seem like crime has progressed but what has happened is we are being more aggressive in our approach to getting referrals and having our guards be engaged,” Viney said.

Viney addressed how security has changed in the past three years, in which he stated, “Our culture of reporting has changed. We find and report everything.” He further added that he looks at everything under the Clery Act and what he,

as well as other safety officers, have done in training is to be more aggressive.

While it seems to be like there is more referrals [and crime], it is really their aggressive approach that is contributing to the report, Viney said.

According to Viney, what has also changed in the last three years is how communication has increased between the students and campus security.

One of his goals is for security to form a relationship with the student body so they know that they are there to protect them and solve any issues that may arise while they are on campus.

“All of us are safety, so it is going to take all of us to work together to make this place safe,” Viney said, referring to his team of safety officers.

Design Credit: Anna Graver

Mollie Clements | A&E Editor a&e@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

a&e

thecurrent

7 2017-2018

New Musical: “Pete And The Starcatcher” By: Taylor Yamamoto Staff Writer A new play has arrived at Green River College called “Peter and the Starcatcher” and it is here to make a splash, put on by the college drama department.

This play is a relatively new stage play/musical by Rick Elice. It is an adaptation of the book written

by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson named “Peter and the Starcatchers”.

It’s a modern prequel to the age-old story of “Peter Pan” that delves into how “Peter” became “Peter Pan” In 2004, Berry and Pearson published a book that added a whole new story on top of the one commonly known. Then Elice (the writer) picked up the story and converted it into a stage play which culminated into its first-ever performance in 2009. This fun-filled comedic adventure follows Boy, an orphan, and his two friends Prentis and Ted who are sent to work on the ship Neverland. Their time working with the ship brings them to meet a girl named Molly the

daughter of a famous Starcatcher.

I could relate to Molly the most Together the group must keep a in that she really wanted to be a chest of valuable treasure out of the leader and she’s kind of tomboyhands of the sinish and she ister Pirate, Black really wanted Stache. to be a part “It’s riotously of something “[y]ou never know funny, it is so dang bigger than what’s going to work funny. It’s a story herself and I that everybody really relate until you try it!” knows it’s the -Drama Department Head to that a lot.”Peter Pan story, Simpson has but it’s how Peter a particular Pan and Hook preference became Peter Pan towards the and Hook,” said Robin Bowles, character development in the the director/drama teacher, when play and how you really get to speaking about what drew him see what made the characters to this play. Bowles is the drama into who they are and how they teacher here on campus. He stated experience life. that it would both carry the spirit “To describe Black Stache is of the origin story and add a new sort of like, what I see is sort of perspective to it. “It becomes very a mixture between Jack Sparrow familiar very, very, quickly for those and Willy Wonka. Sort of a weird who know the Peter Pan tale, but zany wacky sort of character we get lots of new background but is really fun” said Colton information we didn’t know before Abraham when describing his because the writers made it up!” character for the play. Black Hannah Simpson, a fairly new acStache is a very comedic charactress on campus, who plays Molly, ter who often breaks the fourth explained what inspired her to auwall which is an aspect that dition for the Starcatcher. “I felt like Abraham describes as an aspect

he enjoys about the play adding a “zany wacky” sense of fun!

Bowles describes the play as being anachronistic and the dialogue is fun and quick-witted.

Being a unique play/musical, a different approach is needed to be successful during rehearsals.

Bowles said that “you need to take the time it takes to do it” to really put the young actors of this play in a position where they can break out of their comfort zone and try different approaches in their acting.

He explains that it’s all about experimentation which separates it from normal rehearsals you need to try different things to see what works and what doesn’t because “[y]ou never know what’s going to work until you try it!”

This December, consider checking out the fun-filled twohour work of art “Peter and the Starcatcher.” The showing dates are Dec. 6 and Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. or Dec. 9 where they’ll have a matinee showing at 2:00 p.m. and a final showing at 7:30 p.m. in the theater building. Tickets will be at the door for 5$.

Halloween Dance Party Just Around The Corner By: Aaron Hayes Staff Writer

With Fall comes Halloween and with Halloween comes the annual Green River College dance party.

As the leaves fall from the trees, people start to wonder many things. One of those things is often what they should do for Halloween.

For those that feel trick-or-treating is not for them, considering attending this year’s Halloween dance party is a spooktacular choice.

Hosted by Green River College, students and non-students alike can expect to find all sorts of things to do at the dance.

The party will start at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 27, and the fun will keep on going until Midnight.

Readers might be wondering why this Halloween “spooktacular” isn’t on the traditional 31st. That is because students are expected to attend Advising Day on the 31st.

The party, planned in part by International Student Ambassador Yen Jung “James” Chen and his team, will be a must-attend because there will be tons of fun to be had. Students can look forward to both a mysterious Magician and a creative Caricature Artist. There will also be a DJ playing tunes that all the modern folks will love to

dance to all night long. There will also be tarot card readings and a high-tech photo booth.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Halloween party without costumes.

Attendees are encouraged to go all-out with their costumes, as there will be a costume contest held during the party. On that note, as Chen said on the topic, there is “[No] specific limitation for [costumes]. As long as it is culturally respected, and not offensive to any individuality.” For some ideas on what to wear, a survey was taken of some of the students that plan on attending the party.

The costumes that other students decide to wear to the event are just a few of the countless possibilities, so go wild!

If fun and costumes aren’t great enough on their own, there will also be a variety of complimentary food served to attendees. All sorts of finger-foods ranging from gooey- mozzarella sticks, bite-sized BBQ chicken, and mouthwatering wings. Not only that, there will also be tons of sweet, delicious cakes.

For those that think this all sounds appealing, make sure to come with wallets in-hand. It costs a little bit of cash to get into this fantastic fright-fest. For students of the GRC, the entry fee is a mere $5, for non-students it is 10$. This is a great, cheap option for those

wanting to have a great time on a small budget.

The bulk of the party will be happening here on the Auburn Campus of GRC, in the Mel Lindbloom Student Union building. The DJ-ing, the Magic Show, and the Costume Contest will all be taking place on the stage located in the cafeteria-area of the building, as will the non-stop dancing.

So come one, come all, to this frightful festival of fun!

Featured Costumes for the Night

Photo credit: Aaron Hayes Photo of Sunneah Holmes She plans on dressing up as the Khaleesi of the Grass Sea and Mother of Dragons

* Olive Trudeau, in the spirit of Halloween, decided to be a spirit-fighting Ghostbuster. * Shianne Paynter will be suiting up for a night of crime-fighting as the super-heroine, Batgirl. * Tyler Rogers, feeling festive this Halloween will be bringing the Christmas spirit with him as a delicious Gingerbread Man. *Deja Cook plans on wearing a redstriped shirt and hat to be a female-version of Waldo of “Where’s Waldo?” fame. * Taylor Yamamoto has decided that he shall be a Green River College ID card.

Photo credit: Aaron Hayes Photo of Klayton Larsson He is either dressing up as a Hotdog or Spider-Man.

Facts by djtech.net By: Mollie Clements A&E Editor

* Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every 2 weeks otherwise it will digest itself * A ‘jiffy’ is a unit of time for 1/100th of a second * Seattle’s Fremont Bridge rises up and down more than any drawbridge in the world * A rainbow can be seen only in the morning or late afternoon. It can occur only when the sun is 40 degrees or less above the horizon * In eighteenth-century English gambling dens, there was an employee whose only job was to swallow the dice if there was a police raid * The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley’s gum * Celery has negative calories! It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it * Studies have shown that children laugh an average of 300 times/ day and adults 17 times/ day, making the average child more optimistic, curious, and creative than the adult

8 2017-2018

games

thecurrent

Mollie Clements | A&E Editor ae@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Artist Credit: Deja Cook

Isabel Barni| Opinion Editor opinion@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

opinion

thecurrent

9

2017-2018

The Issues of Modern Gun Laws By: Isabel Barni Opinion Editor

Editorial

As it is the beginning of a new school year, we’d like to welcome the new staff members Isabel Barni, Janai Curtis and Dee Senaga.

Although there haven’t been any instances of gun violence on campus, we believe that considering recent events, it is important to keep ourselves aware of laws and and loop holes in the system that may pose a threat in the future.

On the topic of gun control, The Current believes that firearms in the United States require stricter regulations in order to ensure public safety.

The United States’ process of purchasing a gun has a few steps involved. As stated by The Trace, the basic requirements in order to acquire a firearm are to be at least 18 years old, have no history with mental illness or drug abuse and also have no criminal record.

More specifically, Washington state has its own unique state laws surrounding gun control. According to the National Rifle Association, in Washington state purchasers do not need an additional permit to carry rifles or shotguns out of the household.

While this may not seem dangerous at first glance, it more readily prepares potentially hazardous individuals to harm the public. No questions would be asked when taking these alternative firearms out of the house. This will lead to a disastrous situation that could be avoided if suspicious behavior is noticed before arriving at the potential crime scene.

Once someone has gained access to a gun in any state, they of course must still abide to the specific rules in public areas. According to Green River’s website and the director of campus safety, Derek Ronnfeldt, guns are simply not allowed anywhere on campus. This includes those with a concealed carry permit.

The steps an individual must go through in order to receive a gun by themselves are not strict enough to keep locations such as Green River safe. Campus requirements aid slightly in keeping the public safe, however, it must be noted that these rules are not always able to stop people from taking advantage of a weapon; especially if the people committing the crime is mentally ill.

Todays background checks do not account for the currently undiagnosed mentally ill citizens. These individuals are still able to purchase a gun just as easily as the average American, as their background information has yet to be tarnished.

This differs from gun control laws in other countries such as Japan. Not only is the process of purchasing a gun more

time consuming and difficult in Japan but, shootings that killed larger amounts of according to Business Insider, they also people than the Port Arthur massacre, has make every customer immediately take yet to enforce stricter gun control laws. a mental health test at a local hospital As a nation, at what point to we decide before receiving a weapon. This eliminates we have had enough? It wasn’t enough the majority of the worry behind undiwith the Sandy Hook Elementary agnosed mentally unstable individuals shooting of 2012. Little action came from getting access to a firearm. the horrors in Orlando. Then there’s Going beyond the tests that are required the present day, mere weeks after the in Japan, Business Insider additionally current largest mass shooting in modern states that the only legal guns an average American history, and still the country person can own are “hunting rifles and remains stagnant. When will the number shotguns, but those can only be obtained of deaths be high enough for America to after an exhaustive application process. take action?

An aspiring gun-toucher must first take The answer to this is simple; there’s no an all-day class and pass both written and way to know. If nothing comes from the practical exams.” murder of a school full of children, a bar This Japanese process of accessing a of men, and now 60 concert attendees, gun does not only differ from America’s America’s limit is higher than almost standards but also, anyone could have evidence suggests imagined. that what Japan has Other methods As a nation, at what point been practicing does of reducing gun actually work. violence are currentdo we decide we have had According to the ly unknown because enough Japan Times, there of the severe lack of - Isabel Barni scientific research. were a little over 30,000 gun-related This absence of indeaths in America formation occurred in 2014. because the studies around gun violence This differs greatly from Japan’s six were practically shut down for the last two gun-related fatalities. Even when taking decades. into account the difference in Japan and As stated by the Washington Post, “in America’s total population, the contrast 1996, the Republican-majority Congress between the number of deaths remains threatened to strip funding from the Censhocking. ters for Disease Control and Prevention Gun restrictions, in multiple countries, unless it stopped funding research into have proven to be effective. However, firearm injuries and deaths. The National despite recent firearm-related tragedies Rifle Association accused the CDC [Centaking place across America, it seems that ters for Disease Control and Prevention] in some regards the country is tempted to of promoting gun control.” take steps in the wrong direction. AccordThis threat from Congress took away ing to the USA Today, there has been “[A] the funding for gun violence research push to make it easier to buy gun silencers that the CDC provided. Almost all of the and harder to restrict armor-piercing public health studies did not have enough bullets.” money to continue their research.

The individuals attempting to gain Recently, in light of the Sandy Hook better access to the silencers want them shooting in 2013, the CDC resumed proto be treated like the average American viding funding to gun violence research. firearm, which are already easier to obtain However, 20 years of potential advancethan close to everywhere else in the world. ments were lost. The Washington Post Lifting the heavier restrictions on these article goes on to say that “everyone agrees non-mandatory gun accessories would the Las Vegas shooting was a tragedy. But promote dangerous scenarios for all gun no one knows what might work to prevent owners. the next one.”

America seems to be in the minority There currently is little information when it comes to what to do concerning on what else could work to reduce the the issue of mass shootings. Alongside amount of shootings in America. What Japan, countries such as Australia decided has been suggested and proven with to increase the restrictions around gun statistics in multiple countries is the control over comparatively smaller shoot- effectiveness of stricter gun regulations. ings than what took place in America.

The purpose is not to take away a key The Port Arthur massacre of 1996 killed aspect of America’s culture or infringe 35 Australians in comparison to the Las upon a citizen’s right to bear arms. It is to Vegas shooting that murdered over 66% protect the people and students in schools more people. Australia decided to take across the country, including those who action. America, even with multiple attend Green River College.

thestaff

Mariya Mubeen Editor-in-Chief Photographer 253-833-9111 x2377 Alex Markovich Web Editor

Melanie Bell Campus Editor

Mollie Clements A&E Editor Ads Manager

Isabel Barni Opinion Editor

“

?”

Janai Curtis Sports Editor

Dee Senaga Layout Designer

Staff Writers: Mehria Zamiry, Sandra Suchkora,Taylor Yamamoto, Jack Tuia, Mohamed Abdullahi, Connor Bitney, Sam Reeves, Aaron Hayes, Alex Markovich, Deja Cook, Abdi Ibrahim.

Photographer: Mariya Mubeen

Corrections If you find a factual error or simply spelled If you findaaname factual error incorrectly, or simply a name spelled please contact us at: incorrectly, - please editor@thegrcurrent.com contact us at: - 253-288-3457 - editor@thegrcurrent.com - or- 253-288-3457 find us in OEB 17 - or find us OEB 17

Editorials reflect the opinions of the entire editing staff of the Current.

Editorial Policy

The Current is a public forum for student expression. Student editors make all content decisions without censorship or advanced approval.

Theft Policy

Each individual is permitted one free copy per issue. Additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Current. Newspaper theft is a crime.

Anyone who removes, discards or destroys more than one copy to prevent other individuals from reading that issue may be subject to civil, criminal and/or campus penalties.

Letters to the Editor

The Current encourages its readers to be involved and will accept letters of 400 words or less for publication. Anonymous letters are not accepted and the editors reserve the right to reject or edit letters for space, taste and legal concerns. All letters become property of The Current. Send letters to editor@ thegrcurrent.com.

10

2017-2018

opinion

thecurrent

Isabel Barni|Opinion Editor opinion@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

A New Image: Green River Releases New Website By: Connor Bitney Staff Writer The revamping of Green River’s website has been a welcomed change.

If you’re coming from the old site, seeing the new one for the first time is a bit jarring as the two first appear to be drastically different. Though once you look into it, you’ll find your way around better than you could on the old site.

The two major tabs for new audiences are located on the left, singled out and highlighted to be more than obvious.

On the top of the site is a bar of selections running across the entire length featuring the home button, a search bar and multiple tabs to aid in the navigation of the website.

The three main tabs (Students, Campus and Community) are well organized and clean cut. Information that is relevant to each other are grouped together and it is intuitive to find what you’re looking for. The

new site doesn’t flood the senses with information about each tab until you select one, making it less confusing and giving the user a sharper focus.

Each subtab applies the same layout, making it easier to move from one place to another without getting distracted. Small links are written in green.

Common information is written in black font.

The bottom of the site contains quick access links that are always present, making it easy to get back on track or report bugs. There is even a site map which breaks everything down into a complex list for the convenience of the students.

Put simply, Green River’s website has been extremely improved. The team did an

excellent job.

With the progress of technology quickening, every active website from around the net is constantly being updated.

However, the Green River website had been behind in this

wave of advancement for quite a long time. The previous site had been growing progressively outdated, running slower than other pages online.

It was difficult to find one’s way around the site, which

became frustrating at times.

Links and other information were clustered and mashed together. I would find myself clicking through tabs only to be traced back to the home page.

Very few important links were highlighted or promoted. It also had a displeasing aesthetic, grainy and low-resolution icons, old fonts and a boring layout.

It was clear that a change was due for some time. It is with much rejoicing that the team behind the website have finally kicked into gear and pushed out a new and improved school website.

It features a simpler and sleeker layout, new priorities regarding information and a more inviting atmosphere.

“The old was one slow, outdated and hard to navigate.

It also wasn’t that nice looking,” said current Green River student Rivers Mueller. “The new one, on the other hand, is a refreshing change of style. It is also much faster and easier to navigate because some of the ‘middle man’ pages that were taken out. I would say this was a past due update.”

Mueller seems to share a common opinion with the rest of campus. The only negative feedback came from people frustrated about needing to relearn the site.

“I preferred the old one. This has too many tabs on the top bar and it’s a lot to sift through at once.” Benjamin Halbert stated. “I’d rather just use the search bar and I’ll probably just use that to find everything.”

No matter what, people will have mixed feelings about the final product. However, in many people’s eyes, the website is a great change.

How To Avoid The Negative Effects Of Procrastination By: Sandra Suchkora Staff Writer

Many Green River College students are affected by a serious epidemic; procrastination.

Pushing off assignments until the last minute, as many people have experienced firsthand, leads to stress, anxiety and eventual breakdowns.

Not many students would like to admit that they procrastinate when it comes to school work, but most assume they have just enough time to do everything they want—finish that new TV show, go out with friends, or scroll through social media— all in addition to the amount of work assigned in class, lab hours and projects.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with indulging in time out with friends or catching up on your favorite show, but there has to be a healthy balance between work and fun.

I’m a strong advocate for selfcare. Throughout my life, I have challenged myself academically

with AP courses and, eventually, Running Start. I’ve come to learn that true self-care lies in the ability to tie relaxation and self-discipline together with schoolwork.

Self-care is more than face masks and bubble baths; sometimes taking care of yourself means taking direct action to ensure your own success. However, one should never have to make a decision between personal comfort and their aspirations.

Many struggle to balance their mental health and education. Going to college and trying to keep up with demanding schedules can sometimes be too much to handle without using healthy coping methods and finishing homework early.

Distractions, such as social

media and Netflix, were ways that I handled the impending stress of student life. However, as I’ve learned to manage my anxiety and prevent stress by doing small amounts of homework at a time, I realized I have more time to relax, pray and exercise. All of these actions are methods of relieving stress. By reducing my

amount of homework at a time, I was able to make time for my hobbies.

I have seen massive improvement with my friends and peers when mental health becomes their priority. They eventually become more successful in most aspects of their lives.

In the past year, I have faced problems with anxiety

and depression. With time, I realized that getting stuck in an emotional cycle did not give me a good quality of life. I was motivated by the strength of my friends who also went through similar issues to me.

Their perseverance to continue improving their mental growth, personal goals and, in turn, inspire others made me want to be better myself.

I got the chance to discuss this topic with one of my friends, a fellow Green River College student, Diana Hays.

We agreed that school work doesn’t hinder happiness, mental health or stress on its own, but rather the act of putting an assignment off until the very last minute is what puts pressure on people. Hays also mentioned that if she procrastinates, it occasionally puts her social life on hold.

Procrastinating on an assignment is undoubtedly a quick, easy solution to the hard work and effort required to finish it. However, in the long run, when students procrastinate, it

sabotages them in the long run.

All successful people have one thing in common; they don’t delay on important opportunities, whether that be a job offer or an application.

Procrastination is like a snowball rolling down a hill.

It starts off with a few minor assignments in school and before anyone realizes, students are blowing off major responsibilities and missing incredible opportunities. This affects nearly everyone and it eventually becomes like a clingy virus that no one can seem to get over.

Delaying progress on an assignment is still a problem that students everywhere face. With the stigma of mental health issues like anxiety and depression still prevalent amongst students, it’s important to discuss how to face these problems.

Mental health disorders could be causing students to delay school work, and when students continuously put off their responsibilities these issues continue to pile onto each other.

Janai Curtis | Sports Editor sports@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

sports

thecurrent

11 2017-2018

Cross Country Team Face An Uphill Battle to Regionals By: Jack Tuia Staff Writer Green River’s cross country had their last tune-up race before NW Region Championship on Oct. 28 and the NWAC Championship on Nov 11.

On a chilly Saturday morning, the Green River country team met at Lower Woodland park in Seattle. A beautiful park, great scenery, and it overlooked the Green Lake. There were plenty of talented schools and clubs that participated in the race including: UW, Club Northwest, Northwest University and some unattached clubs.

Before the team was able to meet at Lower Woodland park, they actually had troubles getting there.

The bus driver had driven the international student bus instead of the sports travel bus, but he did not realize it until he was already on the way. The team turned back around and went back to switch buses. It was an eventful morning for the runners.

The Woodland park had an unusual course unlike the regular flatter courses. The course had a mixture of obstacles from straightaways to very steep hills making

it difficult for the runners to pace themselves. On top of that it was already tough with the weather, Tyler Penrod, says, “The hills were tough because it was a little cold” making it tough for runners to breathe. It was also a first time for runners Noah and Jasmine on this course.

According to coach Robert Bartholomew, this race was just a, “tune-up race for regionals and

Photo credit: Bob Kickner

GR Men’s Cross Country Team championship coming up and to see where we’re at”. Even though it was just a test race, Xavier and Natalie both hit a personal record.

Xavier’s first time at this course he

ran a 34.37, and recorded a faster time of 32.07 on Saturday. Natalie also recorded her personal record of 28:47 while her previous time was 29:04. According to Xavier, he used the hills to his advantage, “I would use my momentum from going downhill because it took less energy from me”. It was a lot easier to go downhill than going uphill, so Natalie used her instincts she had learned from running. “Always stay on your toes going uphill it’s a lot easier” Natalie said. It was a mental battle for all runners dealing with the incline. While some struggled with the course, Alicia Medley says, “I did pretty well, tried my best, and I loved the course” The boys went after the girls, so the girls were on the sidelines cheering their boys on as they competed. The team showed great sportsmanship and even cheered on other runners from different clubs/schools. Overall, it was a great meet that showed teamwork, sportsmanship, hard work and determination.

The team has the NW Region Championship Sat. Oct. 28th coming up and the NAWC Championship On Sat. Nov. 11. The Regional Championship will consist of

Green River Reveals Their New Gator

schools like Everett, Olympic and Green River.

The team is now ready to run hard and prepare their bodies for the next two weeks. According to Coach Rob, one of their best runners Matthew Nechiporuk did not participate in the race Saturday due to injury, but he will use this time to recover and hopefully make regionals and the championship.

LaRee, on how she did on Saturday’s race, says, “I did pretty good, but I did better last week”, She was asked what she will do to prepare for regionals and have a better outcome than Saturday and she replied, “I’m gonna stretch, drink a

lot of water, stay hydrated, practice hard and just be prepared mentally”. She has the right mindset and is definitely on the right path to be ready for regionals and championship with the time she’s given to practice and prepare.

Overall, the Green River cross country team did great, despite the cold weather and tough course. They will use this time to train, prepare mentally and physically, and keep their bodies healthy for NW Region Championship and NWAC Championship. According to Coach Rob, the top 8 runners from every team will run in the NWAC championship.

Photo credit: Bob Kickner

GR Woman’s Cross Country Team

The Name Is Yet To Be Approved By Student Body By: Janai Curtis Sports Editor

They thought they would let the students vote on what the new name of the mascot would be.

During Gator days the RAC team Green River College starts off took names from students who the new year with a new mascot!

With the fall quarter still in its early attended the sports sessions. After gaining a total set of about ninety stages the excitement has kicked different names they needed a way off and we’re bringing back the to decrease that number. Once gator spirit! they looked Early through that during the pile of names quarter, the they decided Atheletic between Director, Bob themselves Kickner, and to come up his RAC team with eight came up competing with a very names. They interesting compiled way to bring these names The tally sheet for all the potential mascot names everyone into a list back with a that they called the eight elite. The positive vibe. Creating the identity eight elite names list consisted of of our new gator mascot wasn’t an Chomper, Gazi, Gilly, Grick, Grady, easy task and they wanted a way Slater, Swampy, and Wani. This was that every at Green River could get when the real fun began. involved. Once they could figure After coming up with the eight out a strategy for voting they would elite, they posted a banner that have their new mascot’s name and contained each one of the eight the best part is he would’ve gotten names in the RAC for students who his name with everyone’s help. attended the gym. They each were Bob and his team decided to come allowed one vote for the participaup with a very clever strategy that tion in picking a name. To regulate would guarantee the students that this they asked the students who this mascot got a new name. wanted to vote to fill out a voting

form and place it in the tally box.

They would then tally up each vote and place a green sticker in the section of the name they wanted on the poster. With students coming and going the excitement went on for weeks. Little green stickers began to pile up on each name but one of the eight names came out on top.

What would the new name be?

The suspense is over! In pending approval by the Green River College student government, the winning name was Slater the Gator! Once the student government approves the name we will officially be able to call our new mascot Slater. The name fits him perfectly and is all due to the students body of Green

Photo credit: Outreach and Recruitment Team

Before and after of the Green River mascot costume.

River College. The participation of the RAC attendants and the RAC team that came up with the process for voting have both been a great asset to starting off the year with zeal.

The new gator costume looks amazing and is a complete success. Interesting enough the two costumes have very different and distinguishing features. For example the old costume looked to be friendlier and kind, had different shades of greens and yellows to make up the suit, did not wear clothing, and appeared to be female. Whereas the new costume seems to be stronger and more of an athlete, has different shades of green and black to make up the suit, wears a black and green sports jersey with the number forty on it, and appears to be male.

This new costume is a real upgrade from our previous one and we’re really excited to see it out and interact with the students.

Slater will be a essential to the new student orientations, sports events, and other campus activities, as Bob Kickner says he will “bring back the school spirit.”

Join theCurrent Today!

Open Paid Positions: Managing Editor Copy Editor Photographer

Call Today for More Information John Knowlton SC 207 253-833-9111 x4201